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Description
The project addresses the challenges by the set of interconnected activities. It consists of capacity building activities for experts (e.g. policy makers, non-governmental organisations, representatives of vulnerable communities, independent human rights bodies), awareness raising activities targeting employees and employers, educational activities for pupils and students (paying special attention to pupils and students belonging to Roma communities) and last but not least awareness raising activities targeting general population. The activities deliver multiple expert events such as conference and seminar, communication campaigns, series of lectures for pupils and students, public discussions and sensitising programme for employees and employers. The main aim of these interconnected measures is to battle the misinformation on gender equality and to increase the enjoyment of gender equality not only by the majority population but also by vulnerable groups, such as Roma.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several key issues and challenges related to gender equality in the Slovak workplace. These included:
- Gender Gap in Workforce Participation: Women in Slovakia tend to participate in the workforce for fewer years than men, contributing to a gender gap in lifetime earnings and pension benefits.
- Part-Time Employment: A significant portion of women work part-time, often not by choice but due to the lack of suitable full-time jobs or at employer´s request.
- Underrepresentation in Leadership: Women are underrepresented in managerial positions, with only 3.2% of women occupying such roles and a significant gender imbalance in leadership positions at large companies.
- Occupational Segregation: There is a high concentration of women in lower-paying sectors such as education, while men dominate higher-paying fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
- Gender Pay Gap: Although there have been improvements since Slovakia joined the European Union, a substantial gender pay gap remains, with women earning an average of 18% less than men.
- Male-Centric Remuneration System:The pay system is tailored to the typical male career path, overlooking the value of unpaid caregiving and other non-traditional work experiences.
- Discrimination: Women face discrimination in the labor market based on their family status, which affects their employment opportunities and earnings.
- Misinformation and Gender Stereotypes: Deep-seated gender stereotypes and misinformation about gender equality hinder progress towards achieving gender equality in Slovakia.
The project sought to tackle challenges related to gender equality in Slovakia through a comprehensive approach that included capacity building, awareness raiseness, educational activities, and public discussions, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups such as the Roma community. These are some of the activities that were conducted within a project:
Consultations: Six sessions with gender equality experts, employees, and vulnerable group representatives gathered insights on workplace equality practices and challenges.
International Conference: A two-day conference in Bratislava with 100 stakeholders focused on technical skill-building, networking, and social innovation for gender equality.
Communication Campaign: A campaign across social and traditional media aimed to raise awareness of gender equality, active fatherhood, and challenge stereotypes, particularly among vulnerable women.
School Lectures: Lectures in schools, particularly those with high Roma populations, raised awareness about gender equality and stereotypes among students aged 9 to 18.
Gender Training for Employers: Training sessions enhanced employers'' capacities for implementing gender-sensitive policies, focusing on gender equality and work-life balance.
Publicity Efforts: Project activities were promoted through a website, social media, and media channels to increase visibility among the public and stakeholders.
Art Competition: A competition for youth encouraged artistic expressions on gender equality, with top artworks displayed at the final conference.
Surveys and Evaluations: Surveys conducted before and after the school lectures assessed shifts in students’ attitudes towards gender equality.
Follow-Up Mentoring: Post-training consultations supported participants in applying gender-sensitive policies within their organizations.
Documentation: Comprehensive project documentation, including methodologies, tools, and survey results, was published to share outcomes with the public and stakeholders.
The project has been successful, achieving meaningful results in promoting gender equality and reducing discrimination. Key achievements include high engagement in public consultations, with participation across various Slovak regions, and a well-attended international conference that fostered valuable insights and strategies for work-life balance and gender equality. Educational activities led to a significant improvement in students'' attitudes, with increases in positive perceptions of gender equality (+19,2 %) and rejection of stereotypes (+19,94%). Additionally, the media campaign and student competition effectively raised awareness, while sensitization training taught workplaces how to implement gender-sensitive practices. Overall, the project has made a substantial impact on advancing gender equality and inclusivity in Slovakia.